Charles "Charlie" Austin Wilton

Charles “Charlie” Austin Wilton, 84, of Bogue, North Carolina, passed away on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at his home.

A funeral service to honor Charles’ life will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, November 26th at Crab Point Free Will Baptist Church in Morehead City, officiated by Rev. Marty Welch and Rev. Ricky Miller. Interment, military honors and Masonic Rites, will follow at Amariah Garner Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. For those unable to attend, the service can be viewed through his obituary page on Munden Funeral Home’s website. The service will remain on the Funeral Home website for 90 days.

Charles was born on December 19, 1938, in Broad Creek, North Carolina, to the late Harold A. Wilton and Alma Buck Wilton. Charles dedicated himself to serving his country and his community throughout his life. He proudly served in the United States Air Force for four years and continued his service for an additional 34 years in the Air Force Reserves.

Charles also worked diligently for 34 years at Cherry Point Naval Air Reserve Facility, where he held the position of General Foreman of the CH46, C130, and F4 Programs. Throughout his career, he excelled in maintaining and working on various aircraft, including the C1-18, C1-24, and CH 53 helicopters, including being in charge of the F-4’s in Italy.

Outside of his professional life, Charles was deeply involved in his community. He was a Mason for over 56 years, holding memberships at the Newport Masonic Lodge and the Pendleton Masonic Lodge. Charles was currently serving on Bogue Town Council for the last 16 years and was the past Commissioner in both Bogue and Cape Carteret. Charles was also a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and actively participated in the North Hampton Artillery Reenactment Group. He had a passion for gunsmithing, having pursued his studies at Lenoir Community College.

An avid outdoorsman, Charles enjoyed hunting deer and dove, embarking on memorable hunting trips to both Colorado and Wyoming for elk hunting. His love for nature and the great outdoors was evident throughout his lifetime.

Charles was a man of faith and a member of Crab Point Free Will Baptist Church. Throughout his life, he lived his values of love and compassion by regularly visiting local nursing homes, bringing desserts to brighten the days of the residents.

A true family man, Charles found his greatest joy in the presence of his loved ones. He shared a lifetime of unconditional love and support with his wife, Libbie. During their early dating years, Charles diligently saved his pocket change, gathering enough funds for them to take an amazing honeymoon trip to Sweden. On September 29^th they celebrated their anniversary of over 60-plus years together. Together they embarked on adventures across the globe, fulfilling their shared dream of traveling to Europe. They explored the beautiful landscapes of England, France, Ireland, Belgium, and Denmark, creating lasting memories that will be treasured by those they shared them with.  

Those remaining to cherish his memory are the love of his life, Elizabeth “Libbie” Wilton; daughters, Charlene Meadows of Stella, NC, Rachel “Lori” Garner (Gerald) of Swansboro, NC, and Allison Cannon (Gary) of Bogue; sister, Mona Boyd of Havelock; grandchildren, Charles Garner (Caroline), Erin Garner (Jon), Patrick Garner (Chelsea), Brandon Smith (Kristian), Larry “Jay” Meadows (Bri),  Austin Meadows (Madeline), Mary Meadows, and Megan Johnson; great-grandchildren, Mila Meadows, Emily Moore, Aleah Garner, Blake Garner, Eli Garner, and Kinley Smith; and of course his fur babies, Ruger and Golden Child, Jackson.

In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by his infant brother; sisters, Judy Moore and Vickie Gauthier; grandparents, Charlie Wilton, Addie and step-grandfather Durwood Godwin, and Carl and Effie Buck; son-in-law, Larry “Marty” Meadows Sr.l along with many aunts, uncles, and other relatives.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Carteret County Humane Society, 853 Hibbs Rd., Newport, NC 28570.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.